ROLEPLAY HQ - dear-door

Tw: Religion, potentially distressing sexual content, abuse, substance abuse, violence, dub-con

They hadn't expected this... their hands tied with a length of rope were beginning to ache. Through blurry eyes they finally began to process their surroundings. Blood marking the walls, drawn on by hands of the people inside; all of which were dead. Candles had caught the walls on fire and the heat was scalding, crackling hot. One man remained, the center of his bare chest marred with deep black marks in an odd crest. One they'd been seeing on cult activity across the city. Smearing blood across the floor he was drawing some sort of symbol beneath them, babbling and ranting while he did it. Smoke burnt their lungs and made their eyes water as the fire crumpled the building somewhere nearby. His hands smeared blood finishing the symbol under their sacrifice, babbling about opening the way. He slid sideways and died spitting up blood. With the symbol finished <Name> felt themselves falling forwards, lungs seizing from smoke. They just were trying to investigate reports of screaming and now... they were going to die. Flames licked to the edge of the circle surrounding them burning their skin. They fell forwards and unconscious, memory and thought being burnt away to ash. They woke being dragged by their body camera straps, the strapping digging into their waist. The heavy footfalls reminded of a dire horse, slow and powerful. Dropped down into the grass he huffed looking at the sky, "First time being summoned in forever and it's in the middle of a fire." He dropped his weight back into the grass of the field. Massive legs bent the wrong way ending in massive hooves. A thick tail wrapped over his ankle as he leaned back his head hanging back. Its been so long... Short black hair flicked in the wind, two horns swept back from his temples like those of a goats. A soft arch ending in rounded points. In the light, he had gold eyes with squared pupils, alit by the evening sky. ... since I felt the sunshine. he sunned his face in the dimming light stretching

14:26

out in the grass. I'm hungry. Ready to set up... he noticed the other was awake and looked over out of the corner of his eyes. "You're awake now?"

Everything was hazy as their eyes opened, light blue eyes strained to focus on their changing surroundings. Where were they and why did their lungs burn as if they'd inhaled too much smoke? It was in these disorienting moments that it registered in their mind. They had been looking into a noise complaint... an antonymous call had come into the precinct about screams and being the only officer available and close to the proximity of the call they'd called in and said they'd handle it... This certainly couldn't be called being handled... A groan left their lips, masculine hands rose and rubbed at the sore spot on their head, only to realize that they were both bound and preventing them from doing much more. It was during this revelation that the voice penetrated the crackling silence around them. Turning their head to the noise Gabriel narrowed their eyes as if it'd help them focus. The first thing they noticed were the very non-human feet. Their eyes traveled upward, the next thing they noticed was the bare chest, the defined muscles like tiny mountains perfectly carved, the neck, further up their eyes went until they met glowing gold eyes. Their heart froze, their breathing hitched. Were they awake? Gabriel tried to focus, but the more they tried the more their head throbbed. "Am I?" The question left their lips and their voice was deep, confused they looked down at their body... The last time they'd been awake they'd been in their feminine form... when had they changed? Eyebrows arched as their eyes landed on the horns protruding from the forehead of the man(?) had spoke. @Vox

He bent, pressing a palm to Gabriel's chest. He could feel the energy race up under their skin, soothing aching muscle and burning lungs. Their clearing vision did not reveal anything new. Still a Demon sitting in the grass. He looked back to the sky to sun in the evening light, tail idly curling like a cats tailtip. "You are." He smiled softly, thick lashed eyes closed. "I have to say it was very confusing to me too." He chuckled, "Wake surrounded by flames..." He looked down realizing the other was still bound and tugged the rope, ripping it open, freeing him. "Please don't give me much trouble. I will catch you." He warned crossing his arms across his chest, head tipping lightly to the side. He got his heavy weight pushed up swinging onto his hooves, tail coiling behind him. He fully stretched extending his joints and easily crested 7'8" or nine when his legs weren't heavily folded. "How much have you figured out? Cult I'd assume? I want to know how much I'm going to have to explain...." he mumbled, looking down at him. @EnchantedNymph

As his body began to heal from whatever it was the demon had done to them Gabriel blinked, inhaling deeply as relief flooded his body. "The people back in there-" They began, their voice coming out clearer than it had previously. Gabriel sat up, turning to look at the building as it continued to burn. "They're all...dead." They could feel it deep within and there was a sense of lose even if it had been a cult they had still been human, and human lives lost were something to mourn... Gabriel turned to stare at the demon, his eyes were strange, though his legs were stranger still and Gabriel couldn't do anything but stare with their mouth agape. The demon was massive, towering well over six feet if they had a guess and a knot formed in their throat as those odd shaped eyes stared down at them, almost as if it could see into their soul. "Figured out?" Their mind churned and recognition spread over their face. "I- I was a sacrifice." A sense of dread spread through them. @Vox

"They tried yes. Actually quite amusing. Coincidence I came through you actually... not whatever weird... whatever that was." He said lightly, as if it was a joke. "Sacrifices to Satan or whoever they were trying to get to." He bent getting a hold on the front of Gabriel's shirt, hauling him up to his feet. He settled to Gabriel's level, sitting back, and popped the buttons of his shirt. Pressing a finger to the center of the man's chest, his skin darkening into a crest of a diamond with an extended tail like a star. The inside was emblazoned with what he assumed was text though he couldn't recognize it. It spread from mid-collar to the top of his stomach just under his ribs. "Good. It all worked. I was a bit rushed on not lighting on fire." He grinned, long canines popped over his bottom lip. His body lessened in size and with a sickening pop his legs adjusted to snap in place. He grinned, suddenly a tall half naked man in black jeans. He shoved his hands in his pockets amused a tail still lashing about his legs. "Now. Door. Get up. We need to go before I start loosing energy." He gestured to the city, standing out black against the evening sky. He'd set a hand over his ribs at his heart, covering a visible scar. @EnchantedNymph

"C-came...through me?" Their eyes went wide and shook their head, even with their mind clear the demon wasn't making any sense. "Satan is the devil." Gabriel stated obviously, their eyes looking at the demon with a confused look. How could a demon not know who Satan was? They had barely had the thought run through their mind when the demon lifted them from the ground by their shirt. Gabriel's heart beat erratically. Wide eyed they watched as he easily ribbed their shirt open, buttons flying every which way as their heart thundered wildly in their chest as they remained wide eyed, he pressed a finger to their chest and Gabriel tried to swallow the knot that was forming inside of their throat. "W-what did you do to me? What...worked?" Gabriel felt like they were going to be sick. Their head growing woozy as they eyed the sharp canines that revealed from their grin. The snap of bones being adjusted straight up had Gabriel bending over, releasing whatever contents remained from their lunch earlier in the day which had been a roast beef sandwich on rye. Why that information had been important in their mind they were not sure but the thought stuck. After the remaining contents had been expelled they righted themself and wiped at their mouth with the sleeve of their shirt in case anything lingered there. Eyeing the half naked man(?), demon. Definitely still a demon, his looks wouldn't fool them, not for a second. Gabriel blinked a few times again, a confused look still over their face. "Door? Go?" They tilted their head, their wet slicked hair falling just enough to cover their eyes. "Why would I go anywhere with you?" @Vox

"Yes he is the devil." He stated like he was talking to a toddler. "Good job." He waited a ways away as they got sick, his hands in his pockets and tail wrapping and tugging out grass idly. "Because if you don't go with me, you're stuck with a busted shirt outside of town with four demons watching from the trees." He pointed with a clawed finger toward the collection of trees behind them. "But! Feel free to ignore me." He waved a hand lazily, padding for the city. Watching behind out of the corner of his eyes he waited for Gabriel. Silent fears tended to send them towards a bastien of safety, even one as questionable as himself. "Doors are humans we use to access and leave hell. You are now mine. And are also not allowed to die." He stated the last statement, tipping back Gabriel's face to look at him. @EnchantedNymph

The sarcasm dripping from the demon's voice would irritate them any other time, but the unease in their stomach was nothing light at the moment. They eyed him before looking at where he had indicated the other demons and a sense of dread passed through them before they moved their legs, quickly catching up with the demon. Gabriel glanced back again at the tree, wondering what those other demons wanted. Was it them, or did they want the demon by their side? There was so much for them to wrap their head around and they weren't sure what this meant for their life anymore... His comment about being his had a sense of foreboding run down their spine and Gabriel shivered. "Not allowed to die? Like I'd actively try?" Ignore the fact that they were a police officer, one who put their lives on the line on the daily. @Vox

"Humans are stupid and do stupid things. I can't trust you to not follow your kin in being a fool." He snorted, head tipped to listen to the demons in the brush. They were just little things, not worth the time to consume. "I know very well that you're now panicking and worried, but trust me. Assisting me will only make your life easier all around." He grinned, tipping his head as if it'd put them at ease. Never was good at humans. And this one is hard to read... At the edge of the city he deformed his tail as well, ignoring the looks he got for being shirtless in a somewhat cooler temperature day. "Hells if you deem it necessary arrest me. I'm being far more polite than I usually please to be, considering I dragged you back from the dead." @EnchantedNymph

"You-" Gabriel grit their teeth, eyes narrowing at the insult that the demon had just given. "I admit there are some stupid people out there but you can't just lump them all together. Do I look like an idiot?" They ranted, arms crossing over their chest as they tried to keep their shirt shut since the demon had ruined the buttons. Gabriel knew that trusting a demon was foolish, they weren't terribly religious but they couldn't deny what had happened before them, what was happening to them. His words to calm them did little to placate their fears and worries but they followed the demon nonetheless. "I can't arrest you! You have no documentation, you're not a human. And what would I tell my superiors?!" Gabriel shook their head. "Where are we even going right now?" @Vox

"Do you want my truthful answer for your questions?" He looked down chuckling softly. "Or would you prefer my silence?" He chuckled the pavement still hot under his bare feet. A small white bird passed by Gabriel and Azrael held up his hands to give the animal somewhere to rest. "I'm fine Sidni go off... you're worse than a mother." He laughed softly, nuzzling the bird. "Now, leave me be." He ordered and the bird took off into flight. Azrael looked back to Gabriel. "I never know what humans do. Last time I was here they shot me." He shrugged softly, "Now. Where is your home?" He asked looking up a the tall buildings above them. "And why is there so much glass?" He touched one of the sky scrapers, bewildered. @EnchantedNymph

Their mouth opened partially, and for once in their life Gabriel shut it, their eyebrows furrowing as their lips turned down in a frown. There was something about this demon that just rubbed them the wrong way. Gnawing their teeth Gabriel shook their head. As the bird flew by Gabriel watched with curiosity. Was the demon mad? He was talking to a bird like it was sentient. Shaking their head again they looked around at the people walking down the street. People seemed to give them a wide berth though their eyes followed their movements. "My home?" At the question they looked at him like he was ridiculous. He wanted to go to their home? The sanctuary that they hadn't let anyone into ever in their life ever since leaving the orphanage at a young age? Making a strange noise in the back of their throat Gabriel lifted their hand and pointed to their left. "On that side of town, but it would take forever to get there by foot..." His question about the glass had Gabriel arch a brow. "Go people can see out of the buildings of course... There's a lot of people in the city...lot of buildings with twenty or more floors." @Vox

"Lets go. We have things to discuss." He smiled, pulling Gabriel along by his wrist. He had little sense of the difference of time, what was considered the norm for travel. To him all of it felt like a game. Sid was still watching them, a dove becoming their shadow. He watched Azrael slow down. He had a lot of adrenaline but that was wearing down. He tucked an arm over his chest holding his shoulder for a sense of pressure. "Please. I need somewhere to rest..." he begged gently. "As much as I'd like to claim continued immortality, I'm dieing." He grinned softly looking back to Gabriel. "So please. Your house." He had to sit down, bent over a knee to catch his breath. The persistent dove remained on the low wall behind them. "Sid for fucks sake. Stop following me."

"Except you're currently on the pavement like a vagabond." The dove stated, a light male voice.

"And you're a rat with wings what's your point?" He quipped back then coughed.

"Human, your address please. Do not lie. We will both know if you do." He ordered, ruffling wings.

@EnchantedNymph

It was a shock, hearing the demon claim that he was dying Swallowing the uneasiness they felt Gabriel looked between him and the white bird, his face still full of confusion as he rattled off their address. It slipped out of them easily. "We could just...hail a cab?" Gabriel arched the brow, confused at what just telling them their address was going to do. "Like I said...walking will take us a bit." @Vox

He gestured to a car pulling up, hauling up to his feet. The man inside leaned across popping the door open, his pale face one of annoyed concern. Like an angry parent. He had to be albino he was so pale, red eyes staring past thin lashes. "Get in." "Sid! When did you get a car?" "Since my door broke. He isn't going anywhere anyway." Sid sighed and Azrael gestured for Gabriel to get in. "Have you had any luck?" "No sir. Even with the compass." "Damn it. What about that little bastard. The one who stole the gun in the first place?" "Dead. You allowed me privacy." "Fuck... this damn things just going to go deeper. I need it out." he muttered sighing. His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. "Can you understand what I'm saying door?" "Why would you ask? Why would a human understand..." Sid still looked into the mirror for a brief moment in concern. @EnchantedNymph

Why they were getting into the vehicle was beyond them but they got into the car nonetheless. Shuffling awkwardly into the backseat lest they drew unwanted attention from the people walking around downtown. As Gabriel buckled they looked between the two weirdos they were now acquainted with. Whatever it was they were talking about made no sense so Gabriel kept their mouth shut, there head falling back against the headrest as they tried to lessen the ache in their head. When the demon indicated them Gabriel's eyes went wide and they looked at the eyes staring at them through the mirror. "Did you...get shot?" Worry crossed their face for a moment and Gabriel leaned forward. "Or...well, if that's not it then no, I guess I don't?" Gabriel's eyes slid over to the pale one. "Am I missing something?" @Vox

Azrael wipped around. Sid slammed on the brakes sending Az against the dash. A red blade extended from Sid's arm toward Gabriel's throat. "How the hell do you speak enochian?!" Sid barked and Azrael shoved down the others arm. "Stop Sid. He'd human just a bit weird. We were speaking a dead tongue. Then you asked me information you had no way of knowing...." Azrael laughed softly shaking his head. "Yes. I was shot. I have an angels bullet in my heart. It's why I had to use a door. There's a doctor here after he fled hell. The more power I use, the deeper it burns." He leaned back in the car seat sighing as Sid started driving. @EnchantedNymph

Gabriel blinked, a look of confusion on their dace as a blade was placed at his throat. "Eno-chian?" Gabriel moved his head back so the blade wasn't touching him and their eyes fell to the demon as he told the pale one to stop. "You weren't speaking english?" They blinked a few more times and shook their head. "Angels?" Gabriel supposed if there was demons then there most certainly had to be angels but that thought made them feel.... Gabriel wasn't sure how they felt. Clearing their throat they eyed the demon. "So...don't use power?" What did any of this have to do with them was beyond Gabriel but there wasn't anything they could outright do about it in this moment. Gabriel opened their mouth to say something but stopped and pointed toward the townhouse that was painted a muted gray. "That's mine. You're about to miss the turn up the driveway." @Vox

"Its not a choice to use or not. What was the way you put it?"

"A pressure cooker with a bomb inside. Open the pressure too far the bomb goes. Don't open the pressure often enough and the pot goes. Turning the stove off isn't an option." Sid pulled into the drive sighing. "And no. We were speaking Enochian. Which is why I am suspicious of you." Sid snarled getting out of the car.

He opened the door for Gabriel. "Once Sid fucks off I will sit down and explain. Promise." He reassured, following Gabriel. A hand over his chest he held his shoulder, trailing silently behind. "Please. Just survive for a moment longer." @EnchantedNymph

There was a strange logic that Sid used, though Gabriel could understand it. If the demon died, did that mean something would happen to them? They thought about asking but bit their tongue. They were already strange enough as it was themselves. Sure there was magic in this world as well as other types of creatures once previously thought only make believe. But... Not once in the twenty-something years of their life had they met anyone else like them. Able to change their gender with heightened emotions... Should they mention that? They didn't owe the demon anything... Sliding from the back seat Gabriel stared at the demon. "We're in front of my house, how could I not survive? I feel fine after you healed me." They gave a confused look, pausing only a moment before they headed up the path to the front door, taking two steps at a time and pulling their keys from their pocket. @Vox

"Nevermind." He mumbled as Sid shot him a glare. Azrael raised his hands lightly like he was defending himself, Sid muttering angrily to him in an Asian tongue. Inside Sid quickly sat Azrael down onto the couch, fussing over the scar across the man's chest. Faint red light spilled from Sid's hands, tugging at Azrael's energy in an attempt to distangle it from the bullet in his chest. "Ask me anything. I'll explain as best I can." Azrael winced and pushed Sid off of him. The pale man snarled storming out of the house. "Fucking finally." He relaxed now that Sid was gone. "He acts like he's my mother." Azrael watched Gabriel near silently talking after a moment. "You're doing considerably well considering your life got hijacked. @EnchantedNymph

They watched as the one named Sid stormed out of their house and Gabriel couldn't help but wonder what he had muttered. It hadn't been english, or the strange language they had mentioned before. Gabriel stood in their living room staring at the demon as he had sat there, the pained look was still there but he seemed more relaxed if Gabriel was gauging his emotions correctly. Blinking a few times Gabriel shrugged. "Being a cop... I've...seen things," The next part they mumbled over "nothing like a cult summoning a demon." They cleared their throat. "I'm not that normal myself, I've learned to roll with the punches life throws my way." Gabriel narrowed their eyes. "Ah, I realize now...I don't think you've told me your name. Your friend was Sid, was he the bird?" Their eyes turned to the door before shaking their head and heading into the kitchen. "Want some water?" They shuffled nervously on their feet. @Vox

"Azrael. That's the closest I can make it to my true name. Sid..." he pushed himself up as he spoke, "uses animals to observe. He is an observer and my general." He followed them into the next room. "Your little cult is... a problem. All crests, like the one on your chest, are labeled. It has my name in it. The ones we've been seeing around don't have names..." he sipped his glass. "And that's a problem..." He tried to explain it simply, a war he barely could follow spilling out into their world where it shouldn't be... he sipped his water again feeling guilty. "I swear. As much as I can, I'll try to help you. I have no desire to hurt you. But I will not hesitate if you do not help me." He warned setting down the glass lightly. @EnchantedNymph

"Azrael." Gabriel blinked and nodded their head once. "He uses animals as observers?" That was...interesting. Pursing their lips they got themself a glass of water and downed it in one go before setting the glass back down on the counter. If that guy was his general that meant he was...someone important. A higher up in the chain of commands and Gabriel wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad one. Swearing to help them...what did the demon mean by that? The threat that followed that promise made the frown on their face deepen even more. "How...am I supposed to help you?" @Vox